by far the most important, and those which render knowledge available for useful purposes. Moral instruction has been chiefly confined to mere precept, instead of being taught by example, and drawn out into acts; nay, in some things, the training has counteracted the precept. To a boy who in future life would have to earn his bread by the sweat of his brow, it is very appropriate to give many precepts of industry; but to keep such an individual sitting still for about six hours during the day, is the most effective lesson of inactivity that could possibly be given, it is an absolute training of the body to defeat the purposes of the mind. Lastly, the religious education-in some instances, through the wellintended but misdirected zeal of truly pious and benevolent persons-has not been without its defects. They, considering it to be the one thing needful, as in truth it is, have thought it a duty to confine education almost entirely to the imparting of religious instruction-forgetful of other powers and faculties of the mind, each of which requires its appropriate food, and also that some variety in the objects to which the mind is directed is absolutely necessary to keep it alert and call out its energies. We must never forget that He who gave the spiritual laws and precepts of the Scriptures, is also the great Author of the perfect laws which govern the natural and mental worlds; and though the former may be of far the higher importance, yet the last can never be neglected without most serious results. Never will man, and never can man attain the earthly perfection of his being, until the whole of it is brought into perfect conformity with all the laws of his Creator which relate to the various parts of it. His religious powers, faculties, and affections were not given that they might annihilate and exterminate those which are inferior; but to elevate, direct, guide, and govern them-to propel them with more energy, to ennoble them with higher aims, and to make them, when unfolded and expanded, the more effective instruments of good, producing happiness to himself, happiness to his fellow beings, and glory to his great and beneficent Creator.

The human being is far the highest order of existence upon the earth, and also the most capable of cultivation. It would seem natural to suppose, that one of the first objects of pursuit which could be proposed would be the attainment of a knowledge of the best methods of bringing him to excellence, from the earliest years of infancy until the period of maturity. Such, however, has not been the case; and comparatively few individuals, possessed of requisite talents, have directed their efforts to this most desirable object. There is one individual, however, possessed of the highest order of genius, who, from motives of pure Christian benevolence, has directed the whole energies of his life, for about six. and twenty years, to the important subject of education. He is not one who has studied it as a speculative, theorising philosopher, but practically followed it out in all its minute details and first principles, observing with accuracy and strict attention the working of the young mind in many thousands of children. If ever a knowledge of a true system of education is to be obtained, it can only be by these means; and if any one in the empire is thoroughly acquainted with the subject, it must be such an individual. Having wrought so long in the very

mines of education, piercing them to their depths, we cannot but expect that masses of rich and ponderous ore must have been obtained. These valuable materials are now in part to be found in Wilderspin's "Infant System," "Early Discipline," and a "System of Education for the Young," books pregnant with the most important matter on the subject of education, which contain far more that is of practical utility than numbers of other volumes, and which deserve the most ardent and attentive study of all and each who have to do with the practice or the furtherance of education in any form.

To pass such an encomium as this, in a book which appears in the name of Mr. Wilderspin, may seem out of place, and rather to savour of adulation. But as the writer of these remarks, having deeply studied the volumes, and reflected on their contents, feels the most intense conviction of their intrinsic excellence, and that the universal extension of education, on their truly philosophical and benevolent principles, would be one of the greatest benefits that the whole country could possess, and one of the most likely means to ameliorate the lower grades of society, he feels it as a duty to express this conviction fully and determinately, in order that some other minds may, perchance, be led to study them likewise, and become co-operators in a cause so truly patriotic. Few persons could be more insensible to unnecessary praise than the author of these works; his only desire being, by the extension of the system, to do good and to benefit his fellow creatures. This I can firmly say from that knowledge which considerable personal intercourse has produced. There is another reason which might compel to such commendatory remarks. Persons have taken upon themselves to put forth works on infant education-all that is really good in them being borrowed, unacknowledged, from him who has borne the burden and heat of the day; and, what is still worse, have intermixed such absurdities of their own as to bring the subject into contempt. In few infant schools are the right principles fully carried out, many are a burlesque upon them, and some cannot but be productive of much evil. If persons would try to amend the system, let them first go forth and obtain an equal and a greater amount of actual experience, and perhaps then, if they have the abilities, it will be time to talk about doing so. As my name appears on the title page, it may not be improper to state why it was put there, and what connexion I have with the present work. Simply this-being able to put words into verse with some degree of facility, at the instance of Mr. Wilderspin, I composed most of the rhymes which follow; and he, with his usual honourable feeling, not wishing that that should appear as his which another had done, earnestly requested that such should be the method of publication.

In the works alluded to, all the faculties of man are taken into consideration ; proper exercise is provided for the physical powers-suitable food is presented to the young and tender intellectual faculties—and due care is taken of moral training, which is there considered of the most paramount importance; sufficient is said on the topic of religion to guide and to direct teachers in giving suitable instruction in this most highly necessary and truly indispensable branch of

education: but it is the purpose of this manual to carry out the subject more fully, and furnish appropriate lessons for the very young. For other matters, readers must be referred to the former works, especially the "Infant System," the method of education in which, being founded on fixed principles of mental constitution, may be applied to children in the nursery as well as in the infant school, and also more fully carried out for the instruction of such as are much older.

Were all parents possessed of strict moral character and truly religious principles, it would be their highest and noblest object to "train up a child in the way he should go ;" and their bright and excellent example, aiding the powerful instructions received elsewhere, might be expected to produce the result, in fulfilment of the promise, that " when he is old he will not depart from it." But as few, very few parents, especially amongst those classes for which infant schools were chiefly intended, are possessed of sufficient time, opportunity, talent, or inclination to fulfil such an important duty, it becomes absolutely indispensable that the education adopted in them, to be effectual, should be the nearest possible to that which a high-principled and truly pious parent would impart to a child from the earliest years of infancy.

Nature has provided a fountain of life for the nourishment of the infant's form on the bosom of the mother; and is not the same hand equally apparent in providing a richer fountain of life, for the instruction and nourishment of its mind, within the mother's heart. The female character is considered to be more peculiarly susceptible of religious emotion; and it is well known that deeper feelings, purer principles, warmer sensations, and higher affections seem more native in her bosom than in that of man. This is a beautiful provision for the development of every moral excellence in the young child; and if others would teach it the great truths of religion, it should be done as with a mother's voice, as with a mother's love. A pious parent, feeling within herself the sublime hopes, the exalted emotions, the happy confidence, and the sweet consolation which a pure and undefiled religion can inspire, would be prompted to place it before her little one by the instinctive love within her heart, in all its simplicity and its purity, its beauty and its brightness, its happy promises and its triumphant hopes. There is a power in the voice of sincerity, and in the accents of love, beyond all the eloquence of learning, or the pomp of words; and never can we expect to teach religion as it could and it would be taught by the lips of an affectionate and pious mother. She is the most proper teacher of its first simple lessons, and such she was intended to be. Sometimes, however, a teacher may be found in whose heart it burns brightly, and in whose life its light shines. In such a one the very looks speak, and the tones of voice tell more than her words, when uttering to the little ones around her the happiness of true religion, and the goodness of a Heavenly Father. They prove at once the reality of all she says, and that she is only persuading others to partake of the happiness which she herself possesses. Such lessons can never be forgotten, but they cast a pure light over the memory of early years. Teachers

like these are rare, yet such have been, such a one have I known-" the memory of the just is blessed." Christianity, notwithstanding the scoffs of the sceptic, and the scorn of the infidel, is no cunningly devised fable, nor are its influences confined to the earliest ages of its propagation. Within our own times it here and there raises up a bright flower under its fostering sunshine. How beautifully are its influences on the heart set forth in Leigh Richmond's exquisite "Annals of the Poor;" how brightly does it shine in the truly patriarchal "Life of Pastor Oberlin," and how sweetly are its truths propounded in Leighton's excellent "Commentary on St. Peter." Clouds and darkness may be round about the Almighty, but how has their shade been deepened by the thick mists of superstition, and the dense fogs of erroneous and strange doctrines.

Morality respects man as a being acting amongst his fellows, and conversant with minds similar to his own. But he has faculties stretching beyond this; else whence springs that instinctive impulse to rest upon a power superior to himself? It is this which has given rise to all the dark idolatries and wild superstitions which have overspread nations. It is this which pierces through the world of sense, and sees the dim dawn of one that is spiritual. But never could this instinct fully rise up to its right object, or perceive the loftiness of its aim, until made known by the clear light of Revelation. The mind of man was originally formed to repose upon its great Creator, united to Him by the golden links of a pure and reverential love. This great principle is now wanting within, and its restoration is requisite, most absolutely requisite, to his full happiness. It is this which would bring every passion into due subservience, place every affection on its proper object, direct every action to its right end, and subdue all its powers into beautiful harmony and order. There is a matchless beauty in the alliance of childhood with a pure and happy religion; it is like the dew of morning resting upon the yet unopened bud-it is the spiritual dew of Heaven refreshing and invigorating a young blossom of immortality.

The importance of first impressions is beyond all calculation, as they sink deep into the yet unfurnished mind, strengthen with its strength, and often revive after a long dormancy, becoming the springs of action and motives of conduct at various periods of existence, when it is perhaps thought that they had utterly been forgotten. Let any one strictly scrutinise his own mind, trace back thought beyond thought, and feeling beyond feeling, and he will soon experience the truth of this position, by finding that most of that which constitutes his character is but the full growth of the small seeds implanted in the very earliest periods of life. This being the case, how incalculably important is it that the first impressions on so momentous a subject as religion should be most pure and simple, clear and bright, inviting and encouraging. To the reverse of this, I doubt not, may be attributed, if fully searched into, the dark and gloomy thoughts, the feeble hopes, and the sad forebodings which many excellent Christians can never cast wholly aside. How do superstitious notions, implanted in childhood, frequently cling to us in after years, notwithstanding the efforts of reason to put them off; and superstition is but the religious powers of the mind directed to

wrong objects. It is true that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;" but "perfect love which casteth out fear" is its completion. The Scriptures contain many terrible denunciations against sin and the hardened sinner, but their intention is to bring him to forsake his evils. To the reprobate and proud Pharisees, Christ spoke in the stern language of terrific warning; but the little children he took up in his arms and blessed, and said that it was the will of his Heavenly Father that not one of such little ones should perish. To present to the very young, lessons on religion which speak of it otherwise than that "her ways are ways of pleasantness and all her paths are peace," is to act in the spirit of the Disciples who rebuked those who brought the children. The first and great

commandment is supreme love to God, which, when genuine in any breast, will gradually produce every other Christian excellence, as naturally as the stem produces the leaves, the flowers, and the fruit. Young children are full of affection and entirely to possess their love, is to obtain an irresistible dominion over them. How desirable is it then to link this cheerful passion on the side of religion, rather than to damp and cloud the unfolding powers by unnecessarily appealing to that of fear. At no period of life is the human mind so susceptible of strong moral and religious impressions as in the years of early childhood, when the intellectual powers are beginning to germinate, and the moral feelings are yet unclouded by wilful transgression, or opposition to truth.

True religion is not an acquirement of the head alone, but a living principle infused into the heart by God himself; and therefore the mere attempt to make a child what may be called a Bible scholar, by furnishing its memory to excess with texts and precepts, histories and parables, even until the whole Scriptures are learnt by rote, will seldom answer its true end. Such a method is the rather calculated to give a distaste for the subject. Some would try to make a child a theologian, and teach it all the doctrines contained in the Inspired Word; but we there read that there are many things hard to be understood, and that there is strong meat for those who are of full age, but we are also told that there is milk for babes, so that we may be sure of finding all that is requisite. The most advanced and spiritual Christian cannot conceive the nature and fulness of Redemption, or know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge; but a child, a very little child, can comprehend the fact of a Saviour; though it is so great a mystery that the angels desire to look into it, yet it may be represented so simply that a child may feel its power. Christ himself speaks of "little ones that believe in me." A large portion of the Scriptures are so simple and plain that it requires nothing but a willing mind, and an obedient heart, fully to comprehend them, so far as is necessary to all purposes of salvation. Much of controversy seems to spring from a disposition to analyse the Bread of Life, rather than to eat it. All religious instruction to young children ought to be of as plain and practical a character as possible. By not taking the truths of Scripture as one great whole, but on the contrary separating them one from another, distorted schemes and doctrines must result. The safest, best, and most practical way of viewing the truth, is through the wants of human nature. If man has sinned against his